A man has appeared in court after being accused of verbally abusing comedian Matt Lucas while he was on his way to a football match. Ayub Dirie, 32, is alleged to have used homophobic language towards Little Britain and Bake Off star Lucas, who was making his way to the Emirates Stadium to see Arsenal take on Liverpool on October 27 last year in Islington, north London.
![[Ayub Dirie arrives at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court in London charged with verbally abusing Matt Lucas while the comedian was on his way to a football match. Dirie, 32, is alleged to have used homophobic language towards Lucas, who was heading to the Emirates Stadium to see Arsenal take on Liverpool on October 27 2024 in Islington, north London. Picture date: Thursday January 2, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story COURTS Lucas. Photo credit should read: Ben Whitley/PA Wire]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_234768986-bd15.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
The defendant appeared during a short hearing at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, but only spoke to confirm his name and address. Dirie, who was wearing a black coat while sitting in the dock, was also charged with racially aggravated harassment and using abusive words towards two police officers.
![[File photo dated 13/11/24 of Matt Lucas attending the Royal Film Performance and world premiere of Gladiator II, at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square, central London. Ayub Dirie was charged at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court in London, with verbally abusing Lucas while the comedian was on his way to a football match. Dirie, 32, is alleged to have used homophobic language towards Lucas, who was heading to the Emirates Stadium to see Arsenal take on Liverpool on October 27 2024 in Islington, north London. Picture date: Thursday January 2, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story COURTS Lucas. Photo credit should read: Ben Whitley/PA Wire]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_234768932-5920.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
He was granted unconditional bail, with the case sent to Snaresbrook Crown Court for a case management hearing on January 30. Last month Lucas spoke about being targeted several times with homophobic abuse while attending football matches. ‘I have been verbally abused twice on the way to football matches so far this season,’ he shared on X.
‘On both occasions I was minding my own business, head down, walking to the ground. ‘I was called “a f***ing queer c**t” by one man and another told me that “our club doesn’t want disgusting gay fans”.’. Concluding the post he wrote: ‘If you’re a player and that offends you less than wearing a rainbow-coloured armband for a couple of matches, then maybe you’re part of the problem.’.
